We're moving...

...our Facebook page from a "Profile Page" to a "Fan Page".  It is a more proper forum for us.  We sure do not want to loose any of you, awesome "friends," in the move.  So please visit our new page HERE, and "Like us".  On January 16th we will be having a draw from the names of our awesome readers that have "Liked" our new page.  

Facebook Draw

The cutest Cupcake Stand

Valentines Napkins

Pkg of 6 Valentine Treat Boxes

2 Tea Towels

Betty Crocker Hot Cinnamon Candle

Continue Reading....

Christmas Eve by Candlelight

Red is my absolute favorite color.  Two years ago, I was shopping with my dear friend Gwyneth and we came across these tablecloths at Home Sense.  The red part of the pattern is velvet.  Swoon!  We fell in love!  The cost??  $5  We both left the store with one! :0) 


I have been looking for red charger plates for 2 years.  Not the plain round ones, but something different.  When I saw these square chargers at Walmart recently I knew they were the ones.  Finally, I would be able to use my tablecloth with red chargers on our Christmas table.  





With a fairly "busy" patterned tablecloth, I knew I would want to keep things quite simple on top of it.  A red and white table would be perfect!



I found a cute little bundle of red mercury glass ornaments at Home Sense.  A great little splash of red on the white plates!



Napkins are such a fun decorating element.  I had seen these sweet "Christmas Trees" online, and found a great tutorial HERE.  I originally saw them with some beautiful vintage broaches pinned at the top as a star.  So I went looking for something to use.  I had one piece of textured scrapbooking paper.  The color was exact!!  I punched out my stars and then punched a small hole and looped some silver thread through for a hanger.  Ours were used as a take home ornament, but they would be sweet with your guests name written on them for a place card.







For many years I have clustered white candles of all shapes and sizes at Christmas time.  They have filled inside our fireplace, on the mantle, and the top of the piano.  This year, I decided, a runner of candles would be magical on our Christmas Eve table.  



I would have given my eye teeth for several of these red goblets.  Unfortunately, Home Sense only had 2.    So until I find more, they are wonderful pillar candle holders once turned upside down.

"Snowbirds" ;0)

Thank you for visiting us on Christmas Eve!  Our prayer is that the babe of the manger, the sinless lamb on the cross, and the risen and coming Lord, are a real and central part of your Christmas celebrations, and your New Year!

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."  John 8:12 NLT

Tanya

Thank you, Nicole for the awesome pictures and beautiful bokeh!

Take Six has a new Facebook page.  Please join us by clicking "Like" at the top right corner of this page!

Joining:

Tabletop Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Show and Tell Wednesday
Rednesday
A Beach Cottage
What's it Wednesday?
Bunny Hop Party
Whatever Wednesday
What we wore and made
Wild Wednesday
Show and Share
Tablescape Thursday
Feature Friday
Inspiration Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Strut Your Stuff
Sundays Best Linky Party
Christmas in July Party
Christmas in July Stone Gable

Continue Reading....

I’m learning...

God has been asking me to exercise my “faith” muscle.

We are never too old to learn, you know that, as well as I do.

However, something else I’m sure we both know is that learning at a more mature age isn’t necessarily synonymous with easy learning. Shoot! ;o)

Here are some verses that have run across my path lately:

Matthew 9:29

He touched their eyes, saying, “Be it done according to your faith”.

Mark 11:22-24

And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you.”

2 Corin 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight-   

John 11:40

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

And, I just came across this on my desk:

Faith is believing in something and knowing in your heart that it is true, even when your mind can’t find the answer.

And, I just heard this in a meeting:

Faith gives substance to things hoped for. Faith converts cloudy castles into substantial homes.

I just read this, last evening, in a devotional book I’ve been working through (Jesus Calling, pg 372.)

“Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight, enables you to see My glory.”  

I couldn’t help but wonder what miracles I’ve missed seeing.

Do you think you’ve missed any?

I’ve asked God to increase my faith.

I’m excited about what miracles he will bring in 2012.  

But even more than that – I’m excited about having faith enough to see them!

Happy New Year, everyone.

Lisa

Joining:

Motivated Monday
Inspiration Friday
Seasonal Sunday

Continue Reading....

Take 5 with Kathy - "A New Year Blessing..."

Happy New Year to all!

Our back deck

I’m always excited to hang up a brand new calendar in my kitchen (especially when it was a Boxing Day markdown). Its fresh unmarked pages wait for scheduled appointments, special occasions, vacation days, and meetings. Even with all our modern technology which allows us to schedule our lives on a laptop or a Smartphone, I still love using a colourful pictorial version which begs for my handwritten entries.

As we enter 2012, I would like to begin the year by praying God will grant to each of you the following:

Nourishment, both physically and spiritually, so you have a healthy sense of well-being, support, and nurturing;

Enlightenment and wisdom from God’s Word as the Holy Spirit guides you through your daily journey;

Wittiness and humour to fill your days with fun, laughter, and enjoyment;

Youthfulness that utilizes your imagination and creativity, inspiring you to follow your dreams with eagerness and vitality;

Enablement which strengthens and empowers you to achieve those dreams and gives you the courage to pursue new ventures;

Assurance rooted in your worthiness before God which fills you with self-respect and a deep sense of security;

Radiance that emanates from a heart full of joy, contentment, and happiness brightening up the world around you;

Balance that allows you to juggle the demands of family, work, and service with times of solitude, worship, and play;

Love which gives you a feeling of belonging and acceptance and motivates you to respond with affection and devotion to others;

Effectiveness and success in your relationships with those people to whom you are responsible each day;

Significance and an awareness of your importance as a uniquely designed creation of God;

Steadfastness as you face challenges, stress, disappointments, and the unexpected with a resilience that helps you recover with grace and a sound mind;

Influence that inspires others to live with goodness, morality, decency, and dignity;

Naturalness which creates an atmosphere of warmth, gentleness, welcoming, and caring thus drawing others near to you;

Gratitude and thankfulness to your Heavenly Father for all He has given to you which then generates a spirit of generosity within you toward all people;

Sincerity of heart and mind which testifies to your honesty, reliability, and integrity encouraging others to place their confidence in you.

“So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)

Snow on our entryway skylight

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul…Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

                         Psalm 143:8,10 (NIV)

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you  may know Him better.”

                        Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)

 Until next Sunday,

Kathy

Joining:

Seasonal Sunday

Continue Reading....

Favorite “Christmas Day” things…

Can you name a few of your favorite things about Christmas Day?

I can:

1) the hush that seems to fall over much of the world – it amazes me

2) my family – I love them

3) memories of my father – I miss him

4) mashed potatoes and gravy – I could sit right in the pot, quite happily

5) knowing when a gift was “the perfect gift” - because of the smile, or shriek, that it brings

6) a shortbread cookie - or two, four, six, eight

7) my great big stocking - I’m a December baby, and was brought to my mom on Christmas morning in the hospital in a big red stocking, which I have always used

8) talking to friends – “what did Santa bring you?”

9) watching my mom open her gifts from me

10) going to bed at the end of a busy day – feeling overwhelmingly blessed

I trust a Merry, Merry Christmas Day was enjoyed by you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and you, and especially you!

Lisa

Joining:

Seasonal Sunday

Continue Reading....

Take 5 with Kathy - "Following yonder star..."

My new outdoor nativity scene, 2011

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him...After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."[i]

As I was finishing my gift wrapping on Friday, I was thinking a lot about this passage of Scripture. And as many of us exchange and open gifts this Christmas Day, I hope we all pause and give thanks for the greatest gift we have ever been given – the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift[ii].

West End Baptist Church, Halifax

A great deal of mystery surrounds these men from the “East” and many suppositions have been made about them. It has often been assumed there were three men, but Scripture only makes clear there were three gifts. The Magi who are mentioned in Matthew’s account are often traditionally referred to as “wise men” or “kings”. However, they were most likely well-educated “astrologers” who studied the stars. This would explain their keen interest in this new star which suddenly appeared in the night sky. They obviously had some knowledge as well that a new king was to be born to the Jews and they were eager to worship Him. Many have speculated where these men originated from…the Orient, Iran, Iraq…we really don’t know except they came from east of Judea. Also, many people presume the magi visited Jesus at the manger, but Scripture clearly states they found Him in “the house”[iii]. Since we read later that Herod ordered all Hebrew boys two years of age and under to be killed, it is very possible that Jesus was not an infant when the magi worshiped Him.

My favourite nativity scene

The gifts the magi presented to Jesus are significant. Gold…a treasure truly fit for a king. Did they realize that this young child would one day be more than King of the Jews…that God would exalt Him to the highest place and give Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father[iv]? Frankincense…a bitter vegetable resin used primarily as a perfume or for fumigating at sacrifices[v]. Did these visitors from afar have any idea that such a gift might be used to embalm the body of Christ after His death? Myrrh…a bitter gum resin often used as an antiseptic, stimulant, perfume, or to dull pain[vi]. Did these learned men know that this little child would someday refuse this very gift as He hung dying on the cross?[vii]

From my living room to yours!

The star the magi followed must have been very spectacular. They were “overjoyed” to see it. The Amplified Version says they were “thrilled with ecstatic joy” and the King James Version says, “they rejoiced with exceeding great joy”. Don’t you wish, like me, that we could have been there to see that exceptional star?

I love the verse in Luke 2:19 that describes Mary’s response to all that happened surrounding Jesus’ birth, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I trust that will be my sentiment today and throughout the rest of this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my dear readers!

Until 2012,

Kathy

P.S. Thank you to my sister, Susan, for her gift to me on Friday - the beautiful outdoor nativity scene pictured above that she handcrafted herself! The "Peanuts" characters (Linus, to the right of Lucy, missed being in the picture) were made by my dad about 40 years ago and except for new paint every few years, they're still in pretty good shape!

---

[i] Matthew 2:1-2, 9-12 (NIV)

[ii] James 1:17 (NIV)

[iii] Matthew 2:11(NIV)

[iv] Philippians 2:9-11(NIV)

[v] Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, W.E. Vine; Merrill F. Unger; William White, Jr., 1985 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., page255

[vi] Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, W.E. Vine; Merrill F. Unger; William White, Jr., 1985 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., page 423-424

[vii] Mark 15:23

Joining:

Seasonal Sunday

Continue Reading....

~Merry Christmas from Take Six~

A Nova Scotia Christmas wish for you!

Merry be your Christmas

Peaceful be your Home

Joyful be your Family

Blessed be each one!

(Subway art - Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage)


Love, Kathy, Lisa, Nicole, Paula,Tanya

Continue Reading....

Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum...

One of my favorite Christmas songs is Little Drummer Boy.

As far as lyrics go it’s a pretty easy song.

However, it’s a pretty contemplative song as well, as far as lyrics go.

Come, they told me
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
Our newborn King to see
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum

Our finest gifts we bring
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
To lay before the King
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
Rum, pa, pum, pum,
rum, pa, pum, pum

So to honor Him
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
When we come


Little Baby
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum


I have no gift to bring
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
That's fit to give a King
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
Rum, pa, pum, pum, rum, pa, pum, pum


Shall I play for You
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
On my drum, on my drum


I played my drum for Him
For You honored me

Mary nodded
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum

I played my drum for Him
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
I played my best for Him
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
Rum, pa, pum, pum, rum, pa, pum, pum


Then He smiled at me
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
Me and my drum


When we come
Me and my drum

Even though I'm neither a boy nor a drummer I feel just like the little drummer boy - so often. I want to bring my best gifts and lay them before my King.

But, who am I?

Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum

All I can do is play my best for Him.

Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum

And, He smiles at me.

Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum

He smiles at you, too.

Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
Rum, pa, pum, pum, rum, pa, pum, pum

Lisa

Joining:

Spiritual Sunday
Sunday's Best Holiday Party
Seasonal Sunday

Continue Reading....